The tragic deaths of twin brothers Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis have left their family and community in shock and mourning. The 19-year-old twins, who hailed from Lawrenceville, Georgia, were discovered dead on March 8 at the top of Bell Mountain, a location approximately 90 miles away from their home.
While authorities initially suggested that the deaths could be a murder-suicide, the family has strongly contested this claim, demanding further investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding their demise.
Adding to the family’s anguish, a volunteer firefighter, Scott Kerlin, has been arrested and charged with obstruction after he allegedly took and publicly shared photos of the crime scene.
Mysterious Deaths of the Twin Brothers
The discovery of Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis’ bodies at Bell Mountain has raised numerous unanswered questions. The young men were found with gunshot wounds, and while authorities have not confirmed whether both brothers were shot or whether one of them had self-inflicted wounds, their deaths were preliminarily classified as a murder-suicide.
However, the Lewis family has firmly rejected this conclusion, stating that the twins were inseparable and had no history of violence or conflict with one another.
Their aunt, Samira Brawner, questioned the plausibility of the twins being in such a remote area, emphasizing that they had never been to Bell Mountain and had no known connections to Hiawassee.
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“How did they end up out in the mountains? They don’t hike out there; they’ve never been out there,” she told NBC affiliate WXIA. Her skepticism is shared by other family members, who insist that there is more to the story than what has been suggested so far.
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Autopsies have been completed, but officials have yet to release a final ruling on the cause and manner of death. Authorities have indicated that additional forensic testing is required before a definitive conclusion can be drawn. Meanwhile, the family continues to push for more thorough investigations and answers.
Firefighter Scott Kerlin’s Arrest and the Leaked Crime Scene Photos
As if the tragedy of losing two young lives was not enough, the Lewis family was dealt another devastating blow when they learned that crime scene photos of the twins had been leaked and circulated.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) identified Scott Kerlin, a 42-year-old volunteer firefighter from Hiawassee, as the individual responsible for this egregious act. He has since been charged with misdemeanor obstruction.
Authorities have not disclosed the exact method through which Kerlin distributed the images, but reports suggest that they made their way into the hands of local students. The Towns County School District was alerted to the situation and launched an internal investigation.
Superintendent Darren Berrong confirmed that “a crime scene photo had been shared with some of our students on Monday” and that appropriate measures were taken to ensure the image was removed from their possession. Berrong also noted that the students who received the images were unaware of their illegal origins.
The act of taking and sharing such photos is not only a grave violation of ethical and professional standards for first responders, but it also inflicts further trauma on the victims’ families.
Rahim Brawner, the twins’ uncle and a first responder with over a decade of experience, expressed his shock and disappointment, stating, “We know that’s one of the No. 1 rules is not to take pictures and share them.” His sentiments reflect the broader outrage felt by the community, which has condemned Scott Kerlin’s actions as deeply insensitive and harmful.
The Family’s Anguish and Public Outcry
The circulation of the crime scene photos has added unimaginable pain to an already grieving family. Samira Brawner admitted that she now lives in fear of coming across the images online, stating, “It’s scary. I’m literally scared to go on social media. I’m scared to pick up my phone because I know if I see that picture, I already know I’ll have a heart attack.”
Another aunt, Yasmine Brawner, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the devastating impact it would have if the twins’ mother were to see the images. “Just imagine if their mother sees that — like, that would really destroy her. She’s already going through a lot,” she said.
The family’s grief has been compounded by the uncertainty surrounding the cause of death and the allegations of misconduct by a first responder. They have called for a more thorough investigation into both the circumstances of the twins’ deaths and the inappropriate actions of Kerlin.
This tragic case has drawn widespread public attention, with many questioning the handling of the investigation and the ethical responsibilities of first responders.
While Kerlin’s arrest is a step toward accountability, it does little to ease the pain of a family that has already lost so much. The Lewis family and their supporters continue to seek justice, hoping that further investigations will bring them the answers they so desperately need.
As the investigation unfolds, many are left reflecting on the ethical lapses that have compounded this tragedy. The arrest of Scott Kerlin serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for professionalism and respect in handling sensitive situations, especially those involving grieving families.
Meanwhile, the Lewis family remains steadfast in their pursuit of truth and justice for Qaadir and Naazir, determined to ensure that their untimely deaths are not brushed aside as an open-and-shut case of murder-suicide.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏